Letters to the Editor: January 1

Dear Editor,
To the people of this U.S. of A. country.
You voted for a change by electing Democrats to run this country for the next four years.
Your change will be nothing free for you.
1. No free speech
2. No freedom to do what you want
3. Control over what you do
4. No believing in God
5. No help for the Israeli people from the U.S.A.
6. I tried to warn you but I didn’t try hard enough.
Obama and his bunch will not affect me as I’ll soon be where God wants me to be.
Orval LaBorde
Meeker

Dear Editor,
The above will be my father’s last letter to the editor. My father, Orval LaBorde, was a man who loved God, loved his family and loved his country. He valued his God-given chance to live in this country and he fought valiantly for the freedoms this country gives us. Orval passed away early in the morning on Dec. 27, 2008. Even to the end, his heart was hurting for his country.
To the woman who sent in a letter awhile back telling him to keep his opinions to himself — may I say it is obvious that you have never fought for your freedoms, including the freedom of speech. My dad said what needed to be said with all truth behind his words. If this country had more loyal, patriotic Christians like him, not afraid to stand up for God in our country, our country would not be in the mess that it is today. I salute my father, his bravery, and his dedication to all that is right. I miss you already, Dad, and always will.
Love always,
Karen LaBonte
Meeker

Dear Editor,
To the individual who hit and killed the black dog on County Road 15 on the morning of Dec. 24 — Christmas Eve, please know that we forgive you and understand it must have been an accident.
The dog, Shadow, belonged to my son. He adopted him from the pound less than a year ago, and the dog was his constant companion.
This letter is not so much for you, the driver who didn’t stop and tell us there had been an accident, or even stop to move the dog’s body from the middle of the road. No, this letter is for our fellow RBC residents. This is at least the third family pet on CR 15 that’s been the victim of a hit and run driver. My own family members have stopped several times just this year to move injured or dead wildlife from the middle of the road.
By the way, thank you, Del and April, for calling, and then coming back to help me move Shadow. And for stopping by to see how my son was doing later that day. You are good neighbors.
I’d be the first one to say dogs have no business out in the street. Unfortunately, like children, our pets aren’t always obedient. And the 50 mph speed limit, coupled with the increasing traffic volume, along our narrow two-lane road just begs for accidents of this nature to occur. Thank God it wasn’t a child, or someone walking or bicycling. I’m simply asking people to adopt a policy of common courtesy in these difficult situations. Accidents do happen — but running away doesn’t make the accident any easier to bear. Please, if you hit an animal in front of someone’s home, have the guts to stop and let them know. At least move the creature to the side of the road. Yes, it takes a spine, it takes a bit of maturity and acceptance of the responsibility of operating a vehicle, but wouldn’t you want someone to do the same for you if it were your pet?
Niki Turner
Meeker
Dear Editor,
On Dec. 22, I was the unexpected recipient of a gift of kindness by a stranger. As I was checking out, while simultaneously keeping my 7- and 2-year-old from buying the whole shelf of candy, an unknown woman paid for my groceries. I believe this may have been the first act of true kindness done to me by a perfect stranger.
I do not know her name, I don’t even know if she is from Meeker, but I would like to leave her a message. Happy holidays to you and your family, and may God bless you in all you do.
“You cannot do a kindness too soon, for you never know how soon it will be too late.”
~ Ralph Waldo Emerson.
Jackie, Estevan, Gabriela
and Cruz Barreno
Meeker